RFK mourns loss of CO-Founder Dianne Traynor

[Paco Bulto]

From: "Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation" <info@pbtfus.org>
To: <bill@niehauscycle.com>
Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 1:12 PM
Subject: RFK mourns loss of co-founder Dianne Traynor


RIDE FOR KIDS MOURNS LOSS OF CO-FOUNDER DIANNE TRAYNOR

Dianne Traynor, president and co-founder of the Pediatric Brain Tumor
Foundation and co-founder of the Ride for Kids motorcycle charity program,
died today in Atlanta after a long illness. She was 67.

Dianne and her late husband, Mike, began the Ride for Kids program
in 1984 to raise funds for childhood brain tumor research. Its success led
them to start the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF), which is now
the world's largest philanthropic organization dedicated to finding a cure
for
the deadliest form of childhood cancer.

"Dianne worked tirelessly to advance cutting-edge research and to ensure
that
every dollar invested had the best chances of making a positive difference,"
said
PBTF board member Chris Hoefflin. "She and her late husband, Mike, came into
our lives in 1993 when my young son was battling a malignant brain tumor.
Their
warmth and compassion for him and our family was so genuine, as was their
commitment to finding cures for thousands of afflicted children."

An Atlanta native and University of Georgia graduate, Dianne worked as
a teacher and accountant before dedicating her life to the PBTF. Her
personal struggle with breast cancer in the 1980s made her a passionate
advocate for patients and families. Under her guidance, the foundation's
family support program grew to include social work, educational resources,
and college scholarships for survivors.

She also educated herself in the intricacies of complex scientific
research to become an expert grant funder. The PBTF has supported
basic, translational and clinical research at more than 50 institutions
around the world. Today the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation Institute
program
includes Duke University, the University of California, San Francisco, and
the
Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.

Dianne was instrumental in the establishment of the Central Brain Tumor
Registry of the United States and the Society of Neuro-Oncology's journal,
Neuro-Oncology. She also helped to organize the Alliance for Childhood
Cancer,
an advocacy group made up of other nonprofits, medical professionals and
social workers.

"Dianne Traynor, with her husband Mike, established the major foundation in
the
world for helping children with brain tumors," said Dr. Darell Bigner,
director of the
PBTF Institute and the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke
University and chair of the PBTF's Scientific Advisory Board. "They devoted
all
their energy toward helping children by sponsoring research, college
scholarships
for survivors, and family support programs. I know of no one who led a more
noble
way of life."

Following Mike's death in 2009, Dianne became the PBTF's president and
chairman of the board. She also served on the board of directors of the
Central
Brain Tumor Registry of the United States, and was a patient advocate
for the National Cancer Institute's Brain Tumor Specialized Program of
Research Excellence.

Many organizations honored Dianne's accomplishments during her
lifetime. She and Mike shared the American Motorcyclist Association's
Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award and Motorcycle Consumer News' Culberson
Memorial Award for their work with Ride for Kids. Her efforts on behalf of
childhood brain tumor research were recognized by the Society of Neuro-
Oncology, the International Society of Pediatric Neuro-Oncology, and the
International Brain Tumor Therapy and Research Meeting. In 2011 Duke
University established the Mike and Dianne Traynor Lecture to honor the
couple's research legacy.

"The foundation was Dianne and Mike's life work, and it will go on," said
PBTF
Vice President Glenn Wilcox. "Our board began a national search for a new
executive director earlier this year. We expect to complete that process in
the very
near future. As Dianne has said, 'The opportunity to save the lives of
children
suffering from brain tumors is greater than at any other time in the history
of
fighting this disease. The new executive director will step into a
well-established
research infrastructure and accomplish far more in the next 10 years than
was
thought possible when we began.' In the meantime, our top-notch staff is
ensuring
that the vital work of the foundation is continuing to move forward."

Dianne is survived by her mother, Mary Sawyer of Atlanta; her brother, Tom
Sawyer, and his wife, Dianne, of Marietta; three stepsons; and nine
grandchildren.
In addition to Mike, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Angela Wood,
and
her father, William Sawyer.

Funeral arrangements are pending. Please check our website,
www.curethekids.org, and our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pbtfus, for
updates.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Dianne's memory
to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, 302 Ridgefield Ct., Asheville, NC
28806, 800-253-6530 or www.curethekids.org.

You can donate now online:
http://pbtf.convio.net/site/R?i=X_EvUIRqMrsDZimBECPhxA

Tell a friend: http://pbtf.convio.net/site/R?i=NeIH3gvS9zDCn8UK8m7jxQ

If you received this message from a friend,
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© Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation
302 Ridgefield Court, Asheville, NC 28806
800-253-6530

[Patmo]

Yes, I just received this email today. Ironic in that today I was at Vintage MC weekend @MidOhio and stopped by the RFK booth to pick up a schedule. Nice to know that the work they started will continue. God speed, truly a remarkable and admirable couple.

RIP

[stlthmsta]

I echo your words Pat. Not a finer couple could be found. Remarkable work they have done and I'm sure they have left things in capable hands to keep it going. That is one of the reasons it is the official charity of the MSTA, not that the cause it not worthy. Mike and Diane were 2 of our own we're proud to have had them in our fold.
Thanks Paco for posting, I couldn't find the new thread button earlier today. I really need to learn these things.
I'll be at VMD on Saturday, I'll stop by the booth. TM

[Buckeye56]

Kinda hard to believe they are both gone. The foundation is truly a labor of love. I hope MSTA will continue to support the work being done to rid children of this dreaded disease.

[NinjaBob]

[RichGrab]

I echo your words Pat. Not a finer couple could be found. Remarkable work they have done and I'm sure they have left things in capable hands to keep it going. That is one of the reasons it is the official charity of the MSTA, not that the cause it not worthy. Mike and Diane were 2 of our own we're proud to have had them in our fold.
Thanks Paco for posting, I couldn't find the new thread button earlier today. I really need to learn these things.
I'll be at VMD on Saturday, I'll stop by the booth. TM

I echo your words as well as Pat's. This is a fine, fine example of what we can do as individuals if we band together and put our work and efforts towards a common goal. Having said that, we are all riders and thankful for the things that motorcycling brings us.

In that vain, I am issuing a challenge to all on this forum, as well as all MSTA members (so tell your friends.) Here is the challenge - donate now to the PBTF the equivalent of one tank of gas (at current prices ). If every paid member of MSTA would do this, we could really have a nice impact - I would wager to guess $20,000 to $25,000 maybe more. Don't let it stop there. Tell your friends about this charity. I'm going right now to member Geoffrey Greene's site http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraise...-ride-for-kids and make the donation. WILL YOU??? PLEASE!!

[NinjaBob]

I echo your words as well as Pat's. This is a fine, fine example of what we can do as individuals if we band together and put our work and efforts towards a common goal. Having said that, we are all riders and thankful for the things that motorcycling brings us.

In that vain, I am issuing a challenge to all on this forum, as well as all MSTA members (so tell your friends.) Here is the challenge - donate now to the PBTF the equivalent of one tank of gas (at current prices ). If every paid member of MSTA would do this, we could really have a nice impact - I would wager to guess $20,000 to $25,000 maybe more. Don't let it stop there. Tell your friends about this charity. I'm going right now to member Geoffrey Greene's site http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraise...-ride-for-kids and make the donation. WILL YOU??? PLEASE!!

I'm in.....

[HawkGTRider]

Donations of all amounts are appreciated. We never know which dollar will go to a researcher who will discover something truly amazing.

[RIDEMYST]

.................. I am issuing a challenge to all on this forum, as well as all MSTA members (so tell your friends.) Here is the challenge - donate now to the PBTF the equivalent of one tank of gas (at current prices ). If every paid member of MSTA would do this, we could really have a nice impact - I would wager to guess $20,000 to $25,000 maybe more. Don't let it stop there. Tell your friends about this charity. I'm going right now to member Geoffrey Greene's site http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraise...-ride-for-kids and make the donation. WILL YOU??? PLEASE!!

I like your idea, Rich! -JEP-

[bcd]

Excellent idea, Rich!